Chapter IX: Part 9

MR. LEE began by remarking on the scanty attendance, which
either showed that the inhabitants were not generally aware of
the enquiry being about to take place, or that they did not
feel very much interested in the question. It was, however,
a question of very great importance to all the residents of
the town, and he regretted very much that the room was not
filled. All the rated inhabitants had a right to be present,
and to be heard on any matter touching that enquiry, and it had
been proved that full notice had been given, so as to enable
the inhabitants to know when and where the enquiry would be
held. The fact of there being reporters present would enable
those inhabitants who were not present to know something of
the proceedings, and he hoped that the result would be that if
any misapprehensions existed, they would be removed. In the
few remarks he should make, he thought it would be well to
direct their attention to that portion of the Public Health
Act which related to preliminary inquiries. Under that Act,
the General Board of Health was appointed to intimate its
application under certain circumstances stated in the 8th
section. They were to appoint inspectors to make preliminary
enquiries in large and populous towns and places, and these
enquiries would be instituted either upon the petition of not
less than one-tenth of the inhabitants rated for the relief
of the poor, or where the returns of the Registrar-General
showed that the deaths annually exceeded the proportion of
twenty-three to a thousand. Upon the latter alternative the
Board had the power of directing an enquiry to be made, without
any petition from the Inhabitants. The section then went on
to state the chief objects of the enquiry. The report was to
be made to the General Board of Health by the Inspector in
writing, and was then to be printed and circulated in the parts
to which the enquiry related. Upon that report any inhabitant
might make any statement in writing, as to anything contained
in, or omitted from, such report. It would be the duty of the
General Board of Health to consider the report and statements
made; and there were then two modes of proceeding for that
body to adopt, according to circumstances. If the inquiry had
been instituted upon the petition from the inhabitants of the
locality, if the boundaries for the district were the same
as those from whence the petition came, and if there should
be no local act of Parliament in force in the district, then
the act might be applied by an order of Privy Council, naming
the day when the election of a Local Board of Health should
take place. But if the inquiry should have been instituted
in consequence of the mortality being over twenty-three to a
thousand, and if the boundaries were different, and if there
were a local act of Parliament, then the General Board, if
they thought the Public Health Act should be applied, would
have to make a provisional order, which would have no force
or effect until it had been approved by Parliament. In the
case where a Municipal Corporation exists, it is made the
Local Board of Health. As the inhabitants of Dudley had no
Corporation, either the Commissioners must act as a Local Board
of Health, or the residents must meet and elect one. Mr. Lee
then proceeded to detail the duties that would fall within the
province of the Local Board, stating that their powers were
permissive, not compulsory, and that money to carry out the
necessary works could be borrowed on the rates, to be repaid
by equal annual instalments, running over a space of thirty
years. By the latter provision, all difficulty as to causing a
burden on the inhabitants was removed, for if the amount should
come to anything like the sum of £5 per house, the rate of
interest would not be more than one penny per week. He would
now take them back to the grounds on which that inquiry had
commenced. The census of 1851 had been taken, but the returns
of the Registrar-General had not been made up so that the
general rates of mortality could be ascertained. There was no
difficulty, however, in the returns for any particular town,
and it would be sufficient for him to show to them that the
rates of mortality had increased very considerably in Dudley
since 1841. He had before him the Registrar-General's return
for Dudley, dated the 7th of June, 1851, made according to
the terms of the act, from the year 1844 to 1850 inclusive.
The present population of the parish of Dudley was 37,954.
The deaths during those years were 6,864, giving an annual
mortality of twenty-eight to every thousand of the inhabitants
living. If he took the comparative returns of 1841, he should
take a much more favourable view of the condition of Dudley
than now existed. In 1841, according to the census returns,
the rate of mortality in England and Wales was little more
than twenty to a thousand of the population; and at that time
the rate of Dudley was 26.7, while in Walsall it was 24.2,
in Wolverhampton 25, and in Birmingham, (with a population
four times more than Dudley,) 26.5. He found that in the same
year the deaths in Dudley were 1 in 37; in Walsall, 1 in 41;
in Birmingham, 1 in 38. The deaths from epidemic diseases in
Dudley were 1 out of every 131 of the population annually; in
Walsall, 1 out of 154; and in Birmingham, 1 out of 202. The
average age of all who died in Dudley was only 17 years, at a
time when the mortality was less than it was now. In Walsall
it was 19 years and 3 months; in Wolverhampton, 19 years and
1 month: and in Birmingham, 23 years and 9 months. They would
see by that excessive mortality how large a proportion of the
community were cut off before they arrived at the years of
maturity. Of those who died above 20 years of age, the average
was 50 years and 10 months; in Wolverhampton it was the same;
in Walsall, 52 years and 6 months; and in Birmingham, 51 years
and 7 months. There they saw that no place among them all was
so bad as Dudley. Taking the whole of the deaths, and dividing
their per centage, there were 34.5 per cent. under a year old,
in Dudley; in Walsall, 29.7 per cent.; in Wolverhampton, 27.6;
and in Birmingham, 24.8. Under five years, in Dudley, 60.8
per cent.; in Walsall, 55.7; in Wolverhampton, 55.3; and in
Birmingham, 48.4. Seven out of every ten persons under 20 years
of age died annually, a much larger rate than any other place
mentioned. As death had done its main work during the years
of infancy, they were not persons who had lost their lives in
mines, for two-thirds of their population died under five years
of age; as they got farther on in life there were, of course,
fewer remaining in Dudley to be killed, and consequently the
per centage was less in unhealthy than in healthy districts, as
the greater portion had been destroyed before arriving at the
years of maturity. He would give one instance--between 70 and
80 years of age 4.4 died in Dudley; in Wolverhampton, 4.8; in
Birmingham, 5.7 The figures were greatly to the disadvantage
of Dudley. Indeed there were very few places in the kingdom
so unhealthy as Dudley. To show the enormous disparity that
existed between Dudley and registration districts in the
counties of Worcester, Stafford, and Warwick, Mr. Lee quoted a
number of other figures. For instance, he showed that in the
district comprising Bewdley, Martley, and Tenbury, (containing
a population equal to that of the Dudley district,) the average
age at death was 41 years and 4 months against the average of
17 years in Dudley. Now he said, there might be persons who
talked about economy with respect to sanitary arrangements,
and would be fearfully alarmed at the expense that would be
brought upon the town of Dudley by the adoption of sanitary
measures. It would be found from the registration districts
he had named, with a population equal to their own, by the
most extensive experience, not only of the medical men,
but of those who had made the strictest enquiries into the
sanitary condition of the country, that there were not less
than twenty-eight cases of sickness in excess, spending on an
average 20s. each, to every death in excess. Well, comparing
the registration district of Dudley, which contained, in 1841,
86,000 inhabitants, with the district he had cited, they would
see that there were 831 deaths in excess in a year, and of
these more than one-third were due to the parish of Dudley.
Taking twenty-eight cases for each death in excess, it exhibits
a loss of £23,268. Taking next, the mourning fees, coffins,
and other incidental expenses connected with a funeral, which
could not amount to less than £5 each, they would have a loss
by funerals of £4,115. Every adult lost eight years and eight
months of his life, and every individual twenty-four years
and four months. Taking only the adult deaths, and reckoning
those adults to have been able to earn only 7_s._ 6_d._ per
week each on an average, the loss in labour would be £115,934.
Those three items of loss, by one year's deaths alone, for
sickness, funerals, and labour, was £143,357. They would all
admit that, at a very moderate estimate, one-third of that
cost would fall upon the parish of Dudley, and they then would
find that the parish were annually losers in those three items
to the extent of £47,786. That was the loss upon a mortality
of 26.7, but the last returns exhibited a mortality of 28 to
every thousand of the inhabitants, during the seven years'
average. They might, therefore, fairly conclude that their loss
at that present moment, from excessive deaths, was £50,000
per annum. Could anybody imagine for a moment that the most
efficient sanitary works that could be constructed in Dudley,
would bear to be looked at, in comparison with these figures.
He could direct their attention to a very important table
from the same returns, containing 61 registration districts
in England and Wales, with a population of 1,003,124 persons,
having a mortality of only 16 to a thousand, and where all
who were born, on an average lived to the age of 37 years and
5 months; and adults on an average to 60 years of age. Now,
compare that with Dudley, and though no sanitary means were
used at the places he referred to, nevertheless the mortality
was 16 as against 28, in the parish of Dudley; average age,
37 years 5 months, as against 17 years; adults, 60 years as
against 50 years and 10 months, and the percentages of deaths
under 20 years of age, 38.4, as against 70.1. Could anybody
doubt that there was a cause for that, and one that might to a
great extent be removed? Could any reasonable man say it was
not a case of vital importance, and one that demanded careful
enquiry? Was it not the duty of every inhabitant to promote
such an enquiry, and if it were found that remedies could be
applied, to take the greatest interest in their application?
He did not suppose that any person resident in Dudley was
aware that such a comparative state of things existed. They
had the facts now before them, and he therefore anticipated
that he should receive all the assistance they could render
him in making that enquiry, while he stayed in Dudley. They
perceived that the jurisdiction of the General Board of Health
arose from the excessive mortality, over 23 to 1,000, which
the Legislature regarded as such an excess as to call upon the
General Board to take proceedings to apply the act without
any petition from the locality. The mortality of Birmingham,
Sheffield, Bradford, and Leeds, was less than Dudley, and he
did not believe the mortality of Manchester was higher. He
could not recollect a large town in the whole country, except
it was Liverpool, as it existed previous to the application
of sanitary measures, that was in such an awful condition
as Dudley appeared to be. It was growing worse, as was the
condition of most unimproved towns. The filth accumulating
in open cesspools, ash-pits, privies, &c., in consequence
of badly-constructed channels and drains, was constantly
saturating the earth, and going into the subsoil underneath. As
that saturation increased, the unhealthiness of the town would
increase, and there would come a time when the subsoil of such
towns would become a mere dunghill, and the site of the town
would be uninhabitable. They saw themselves how the healthiness
of the place had decreased since 1841. He next explained the
manner in which he intended to conduct that enquiry. Awaiting
the assembling of the inhabitants that morning, he had taken
down several complaints that had been made to him of nuisances
existing in the vicinity of houses, and he should be glad to
enter more upon his minutes. He would place also upon his
minutes the name of any person who should wish to accompany
him in making an inspection of the town. He should adjourn
the enquiry, as far as that room was concerned, until that
inspection was complete. He should have to depend upon those
who accompanied him to point out the worst parts of the town,
and, if there was a difference of opinion existing amongst
them, he should wish both parties to accompany him. After other
general observations, he concluded by saying that his object
was to discharge faithfully his duty to the Board of Health and
the inhabitants of Dudley.

About five minutes before Mr. Lee concluded his address, Isaac
Badger, Esq., entered the room. As soon as the Inspector
sat down, Mr. BADGER said he wished to ask a question, as he
had that morning met most of the principal gentlemen of the
town, not one of whom knew anything about the origin of the
enquiry. He wished for some information why the meeting was
held, and was proceeding to remark that although he did not
deny something of the sort was wanted, yet that he thought
Dudley could very ill afford to go to any expense at all;
when Mr. LEE interrupted him with "Don't make a speech, if
you please; if you ask any questions I will answer them."
He had before met with cases of this sort, where gentlemen
of influence in the locality came in after he had given his
explanation of the cause of the enquiry--an explanation which
in the present instance had occupied an hour in the delivery,
after waiting nearly another hour past the time appointed--and
would have him to go over the explanation again, for their
personal information. He would put it to those present whether
such a thing could be expected from him.--Mr. BADGER said it
was an important thing for the town, and he was surprised
the authorities knew nothing about it. He might have signed
a requisition if he had been asked to do so, and he wanted
to know who was the cause of the meeting being called.--Mr.
LEE: As they doubtless knew there was to be an enquiry here
this morning, they should have been here at ten o'clock.--Mr.
BADGER: What I have asked for is information that the town
ought to have, but as he refuses to answer the question, I will
now withdraw. I saw a very respectable medical practitioner
yesterday, and he tells me--Mr. LEE: You had better address
yourself to me, sir.--Mr. BADGER: All I have to say is, that
the town never was in a more healthy state than at present;
and I object to the whole proceedings. Mr. Badger then left
the room, accompanied by J. G. Walker, Esq.--Mr. LEE said that
any other gentleman might come into the room and put such
questions, and with equal reason expect him to answer them.
It was not a matter affecting his own convenience, but it was
a waste of time which he would not permit. The gentleman had
thought proper to withdraw, and perhaps he would say that he
had been refused information, but there were those present
who could correct such a statement. At a subsequent stage of
the proceedings, the Inspector, in reply to a remark that
he had spoken to Mr. Badger "in a way to which he was not
accustomed," said he had no respect of persons, and could make
no distinction between the rich and the poor.

Mr. Fletcher presented the evidence taken before Mr. Slaney,
M.P., in 1842, while inquiring into the state of Dudley under
the Public Health Commission; and after receiving some evidence
as to the nuisance in existence, Mr. Lee adjourned the inquiry.

Tuesday afternoon was spent in viewing some parts of the town;
and on Wednesday Mr. Lee continued his inspection, in company
with the Rev. Dr. Browne, J. C. Bourne, Esq., J. Maughan, Esq.,
Messrs. Bateman, J. Marsh, and other respectable inhabitants
of the borough. He proceeded to the Friends' Chapel, in the
High Street, Wolverhampton Street, Shaver's End, St. James's
Terrace, the Dock, Vicarage Prospect, Spring's Mire, Stafford
Street, Cross Street, &c., jotting down his observations as he
went along. We may venture to affirm that few places require
the surveillance of an inspector of some kind or other more
than the Ball Court, Belper, Marrian's and Pagett's Yards, the
Barracks, the Lodging-houses, (chiefly occupied by Irish) in
Cross Street, and some other places, which have always been
noted as hotbeds of epidemic and contagious diseases--the
cholera, fever, small pox, scarlatina, and measles, having
always in these localities assumed their most virulent type. By
some of the gentlemen in attendance it was confessed that they
were entirely unaware of such hotbeds of pestilence existing
in such crowded localities. On Thursday Mr. Lee again attended
at the Town Hall, when some evidence was offered on the part
of J. Bennett, Esq., as to Messrs. Smith and Pigott having
certain premises in Tower Street, to which, on account of their
close proximity to the Workhouse, whenever epidemic disorders
prevailed, many pauper patients were always brought, thus
becoming to some extent an hospital for the poor. Mr. Lee was
this day attended by J. G. Bourne, J. Bennett, and J. Maughan,
Esqrs., Messrs. Hollier, Dudley, Bateman, Marsh, and some
others, and inspected the Workhouse, New Street, Tower Street,
Green Man Yard, Birmingham Street, Pottery Fields, &c. Some
of the courts and yards, in Birmingham Street particularly,
attracted the notice of Mr. Lee and the gentlemen with him as
being close, confined, ill drained, and badly ventilated.

As it appears very probable that the provisions of the Health
of Towns Act will be enforced in Dudley (for we cannot imagine
what other report than an unfavourable one can be presented
to the Board by Mr. Lee), would it not be better that the
town itself should take the matter up, and by a new Town Act
or Charter of Incorporation endeavour to procure those powers
which will enable the inhabitants to act for themselves rather
than be compelled to adopt the provisions of the Health of
Towns Bill, which must entail upon the Borough a vast expense,
that at the present time it is but ill able to bear. It is
high time these matters were thought of by the inhabitants
of Dudley, and that the obstinate opposition of some one or
two parties should not be allowed to stop all improvements,
as otherwise they will be compelled at last to adopt those
measures which a little more consideration might have prevented.

We believe Mr. Lee will continue his inspection, which is
expected to last some days longer.

August 16th, 1851. Nothing especially resulted from the above _exposé_ of the flagrant unsanitary condition of this town, except _a scare_, from which the Town Commissioners (the only ruling authority we then had in the town), began to fear that their brief authority would shortly be taken from them by the Board of Health in London; consequently on October 3rd, 1851, an extraordinary meeting of the Town Commissioners was held this day at the Hotel, "to consider the propriety of applying to Parliament for increased powers in the Dudley Town Commissioners Act," which dated back to 1791. After a lengthened discussion (in a very numerous attendance of members) it was resolved on the motion of Mr. C. F. G. Clark, chemist, seconded by Mr. Thomas Fletcher, "That the anticipated early application of the Health of Towns Bill to this parish would obviate the necessity of any increased powers in the Dudley Town Commissioners Act." There was also a very strong feeling expressed in favour of applying for an Act of Incorporation as soon as it might be deemed advisable. This desire for incorporation very soon cooled down, for the town was not incorporated _for sixteen years afterwards_ (in 1867).

Died, August 24th, 1851, Mr. Wm. Badger, the second son of Thos. Badger, Esq., J.P., "The Hill Home," Dudley. Aged 34 years.

August 27th, 1851, a new fire engine was sent to this town by the Birmingham Fire Insurance Company; Mr. C. F. G. Clark was the local agent.

Died, November 14th, 1851, at Schwalbach, Duchy of Nassau, the Lady Selina Constance, the first wife of Lord Ward. Aged 22 years.

SOUTH STAFFORDSHIRE WATER COMPANY.

December 1st, 1851. This new company gave public notice of their intention to apply to Parliament for a Bill to give to a large portion of South Staffordshire, together with the town of Dudley, a better supply of water. After considerable opposition they succeeded in obtaining the Bill in the main, and from that time our water supply has been given by that now very enlarged company.

March 2nd, 1852. Married Miss Cresswell, of the Priory Home, to Mr. John Beddard, Nail Factor and Iron Merchant.

_Church Rates_ becoming yearly more deservedly unpopular, not only in Dudley but in the country at large, on March 24th, 1852, a severe contest took place this day in St. Edmund's district parish, betwixt the Church party and the Dissenters. A Church Rate of _5d. in the pound_ was proposed by the Churchwardens, and 1d. in the pound by the Dissenters; the result of the parish poll was--

For a 5d. Church Rate, 112 votes
" 1d. " 76 "
----
Majority, 36 "

April 10th, 1852. St. Thomas' parish was also most vigorously and successfully assailed against Church Rates, and, as the parish contains some of our large manufactures, it was at first doubtful which way a poll would terminate; but when it became known that Messrs. A. B. Cochrane and Samuel K. Blackwell were decidedly turned against the future imposition of the obnoxious Church Rates, it became a foregone conclusion that the Church party would lose the day, and be left to provide for Mother Church as well as they could.

The following hearty appeals were made to the ratepayers at this memorable Dudley fight for Mr. Samuel Cook's innate principles of civil and religious freedom:--

TO THE RATEPAYERS OF ST. EDMUND'S DISTRICT, DUDLEY.

DISSENTERS,

The Churchwardens of this District have been defeated this
day at the Vestry, in attempting to impose upon you a Rate of
FIVEPENCE IN THE POUND. The Churchwardens have demanded a poll,
to obtain the Votes of the District generally upon the matter,
to take place in the VESTRY OF ST. EDMUND'S CHURCH, ON TUESDAY
NEXT, at Ten o'clock in the morning.

Will you suffer in silence another of these fearful infractions
on common sense and common justice to be thrust down your
throats? Defeat this mean, shabby means of the Churchwardens
to obtain money for them and their Church-going brethren to
worship God in what they are pleased to call, most strangely,
"the beauty of holiness," at your expense.

CHURCHMEN,

If you cannot poll against this Rate, stay at home, and show
by your silence, that your good sense and common duty of man
toward man are sadly wounded by this reflection upon either
your want of means or want of principle to worship your God
with clean hands and a clean heart, without forcing your
unwilling and conscientious neighbours to pay towards what, if
you love your God "in spirit and in truth, you would shrink
from with fear and trembling."

A CONSCIENTIOUS DISSENTER.

_March 19th, 1852._

GO TO THE POLL AT THE TIME APPOINTED.

* * * * *

CHURCH RATE MEETING.

A POLL DEMANDED.

A meeting of the ratepayers of this parish was held on Thursday
last in the vestry of St. Thomas's Church, for the purpose of
granting a church rate of sixpence in the pound, to meet the
expenses of the ensuing year. The Rev. Dr. Browne, the vicar,
occupied the chair. Mr. Hollier, the people's warden, read the
account of the present year's receipts and expenditure up to
Easter; from which it appeared that the expenses for salaries,
&c., for the various churches amounted to £364 and upwards,
that there was about £212 which had to be provided out of the
arrears of the last rate. It also appeared that the further sum
of £423 was due to other persons in the parish. After a few
remarks from the Chairman upon the apparent hardship inflicted
upon those who had paid, while others had not paid the rate,
(and in which Mr. Steedman concurred), the rev. gentleman
stated that during the seven years he had resided in the parish
no church rate higher than 5d. in the pound had been granted,
except that when a rate of 10d. in the pound was granted, this
extended over a period of two years. He then referred to the
improvements effected, alluding particularly (_inter alia_)
to the wall surrounding the burial ground, and where nobody
could be refused interment. Mr. Pattison here observed that the
10d. rate referred to was granted for the purpose of paying
the bills of Mr. Holland, builder, and Mr. Powell, painter,
and inquired what was still owing to them, when Mr. Hollier
stated that a sum of £66 was due to Mr. Holland, and £60 to Mr.
Powell, and after giving a summary of the expenses incurred
in connection with the churches, Mr. Hollier further stated
that he had not broken faith with the parishioners on his
first appointment to office; that the expenses had been always
carefully looked to; nor had he asked for a greater rate than
6d. in the pound. Mr. Pattison submitted that he had not done
his duty in not enforcing the rate from those who refused, and
yet were well able to pay; the churchwardens had the law upon
their side, and they ought to enforce it. Mr Hollier expressed
his unwillingness to distrain upon parties if it could be
possibly avoided. The office of churchwarden had not been
sought by him, but was thrust upon him, and he should only be
too happy to be relieved from its cares and responsibilities.
The Chairman then read a resolution which had been very
recently entered upon the vestry book, to the effect that all
persons able to pay the church rate should be compelled to
do so. After further remarks, resulting in an animated but
good humoured discussion, Mr. Hollier proposed a rate of 6d.
in the pound, which was seconded by Mr. W. Sheppard. It was
then proposed as an amendment (the Rev. Chairman, however,
declining to put it to the meeting _as an amendment_, on the
ground that a penny rate was quite insufficient to meet the
expenses,) on the motion of Mr. J. Finch, seconded by Mr. D.
Lloyd, that a rate of a penny in the pound be granted. Mr.
Lloyd enquired the necessity for the present meeting if the
amendment was not to be put, to which the Chairman observed
that the meeting was called for the purpose of granting a 6d.
rate, and nothing else; whereupon Mr. T. Stanley remarked
that they (the opponents of the sixpenny rate) "were like
sheep driven to the slaughter." Mr. Hollier stated that if a
penny rate were granted, similar meetings might take place
week after week. The rev. Chairman (after some remarks about
a poll being demanded, and having stated that a minority
could grant a church rate) was then asked what was the use or
necessity of a poll at all; to which he facetiously replied,
"for amusement;" an announcement which was received with much
laughter. Mr. Insull then asked whether it was legal for the
meeting to propose either a greater or a less rate than the
one sought for. The Chairman answered that as to a greater, he
was not sure, but certainly not a less rate. T. Fereday Esq.,
the other churchwarden, here remarked that the object of the
meeting was to grant a sixpenny rate, and if refused by the
meeting, the better way was to go to the poll. The Chairman
then put the penny rate to the meeting, and afterwards the
sixpenny rate; when, on a show of hands, a majority appeared
to be decidedly in favour of the penny rate. Mr. Hollier then
demanded a poll, which was instituted immediately. Mr. Lloyd
urged the propriety of the meeting being adjourned to the Old
Town Hall. This, however, was overruled, as the Guardians were
stated to be using it at that time. The Chairman stated that
no ratepayers would be entitled to vote unless not only the
previous poor rate, but also the last church and highway rates
were paid, a legal point upon which the majority of the meeting
differed, contending that the payment of the poor rate was only
the test of qualification. It was at length agreed that the
polling should take place at the vestry, and that all votes
tendered should be taken on payment of the previous poor rate,
the votes being afterward subjected to a scrutiny. The poll
immediately commenced, and was kept up till five o'clock, when
it closed for that day. The numbers were then as follows:--For
the penny rate, 78: for the sixpenny rate, 91. The poll will be
resumed to-day (Saturday), and will continue from ten o'clock
a.m. till five o'clock p.m., and will be again resumed on
Monday, at ten o'clock, finally closing at 12 o'clock at noon.
The best feeling seems to be manifested by all parties.

April 10th, 1852. There was a majority of 98 against this rate.

CHURCH RATES.

RATEPAYERS OF DUDLEY,

At the Vestry Meeting held this morning, for the purpose of
imposing a Sixpenny Rate, an amendment for a Penny Rate was
moved, and almost unanimously carried by a show of hands. The
Churchwardens demanded a _Poll_, which is now going on at the
Vestry of St. Thomas's Church.

Embrace the present opportunity! Lose no time! All who
conscientiously oppose this exorbitant tax, hasten and Vote for
the Penny Rate! All Poor Rates that have been demanded must be
paid previous to voting. The Polling will be kept open till
five o'clock this afternoon. Attend the Public Meeting at the
Swan Inn, this evening at 8 o'clock.

_Thursday, April the 8th, 1852._

* * * * *

DUDLEY CHURCH RATES.

The Friends of Religious Liberty are requested to attend, _as
early as possible_, at the VESTRY ROOM OF ST. THOMAS'S CHURCH,
between the hours of from Ten till Four on Saturday, April
10th, 1852, or from Ten till Twelve on Monday, April 12th,
1852, to VOTE FOR THE PENNY RATE, instead of the Sixpenny Rate.

Go to the Poll Early, and VICTORY IS CERTAIN!!

_Committee Room, Swan Hotel, Dudley._

* * * * *

THE CHURCH RATE CRISIS!

"Coming events cast their shadows before."--_Cato._

Yea, and the fangs of an Ecclesiastical Court will attest their
realities in the pockets of unfledged Anti-Church Rate victims.

BROTHER DISSENTERS,

The last two months has witnessed a vigorous and legitimate
opposition on our part to that detestable of all Taxation,
the Church Rate. Our triumphant success at the poll in St.
Thomas's district has incontestably proved to all parties, that
the imposition of this tax _rests alone with the Ratepayers_,
and that, as hitherto, a mere _vestry coterie_ shall not tax
the conscientious Dissenter without _first_ giving him the
honest and Englishman-like opportunity of ascertaining for what
purpose he is to be taxed.

The fact having now been fully established, the staff having
now been really placed in the hands of the Ratepayers, it
becomes a question of the most _vital pecuniary_, as well as
_public_ and _legal, consideration_, how far we are morally
justified in further resisting the _claims of a Church
Established by Law_; after we have lately testified that those
claims shall first receive our sanction and approval at the
tribunal of a parish poll.

Fellow Christians, lose not sight of the fact that success has
often intoxicated the victorious, thrown them off their guard,
and given the enemy vantage ground. Beware of placing implicit
confidence in the opinion of that class of agitating law-givers
who deceive you by propounding to your ignorance _what they and
you would wish the law to be, keeping from you what it really
is_. Recollect, Ah! and enquiry will convince you, ye unfledged
sons of popular opinion, that the laws were made for the Church
at a time when _ignorance was bliss, and it is now even a folly
to be wise_ to the tune of an Ecclesiastical enquiry, viewing
with Argus eye the value and extent of your goods and chattels
from Westminster Palace Yard. _Resist the law according to
law_, but for the sake of him whose name we all bear, "render
to Cæsar the things that be Cæsar's," and lend not your
conscientious sufferings, either to elevate a meanless party
into public notoriety or compromise that brotherly love, which
we profess to render even to our enemies.

Enquire of your elder brethren _how fared the dissenters in
the notorious Wood Case, and the echo will be defeat and
payment_. Let us not again enact a folly that inevitably shall
constrain us to appeal to strangers in the flesh, but brothers
in the faith, for pecuniary assistance in the midst of our
never-to-be-forgotten consternation and alarm. Nay! let us
rather weigh the matter honestly over in our own breasts, and
consider whether it is not better to pay honestly (and leave
the ignominy to those who receive it) the demands that we now
believe to be illegally demanded at our hands, and save our
money, _not to feed the jaws of D.C.L.'s_, but to legally
contest and maintain our rights for the time to come.

Petition the Imperial Parliament for the repeal of the
vexatious Tax. It is known that many honourable sons of the
Church will join us, for they bleed and feel acutely for us,
who are men of like attributes to themselves--Reject the
election of any man who refuses to assist us in his place
in St. Stephen's to get rid of our burden; and, above all,
whilst the Church Rate Enactment lasts, be careful to elect
such Churchwardens as shall faithfully perform their unpleasant
duties, observe scrupulous economy in the expenditure of our
money, be open and candid in their transactions with the
public; neither given to bolster up obsolete customs and
practices of the Church, used only in the middle ages, nor yet
inclined to accede to the rapacity of a once popularity-seeking
Vicar, at once a misfortune, by example and precept, to the
Church, and no great love of those who dissent from his
unproductive teaching.

Henceforth, let peace and vigilance be our watchword, and the
Poll Book our bulwark against oppression and injustice.

AN OLD DISSENTER!

And one who had to pay the piper to a heavy tune in the
celebrated Wood case.

_Dudley, May 20th, 1852._

The result of this severe Parochial Contest was that the 1d. Church Rate was carried by a majority of 98 votes. This contest was the death warrant for Church Rates in Dudley.

April 21st, 1852. A cab stand was established in the Market place (by Mr. William Beddard, of the Castle Hotel), a long wanted convenience.

The two parsonage houses of St. John's and St. James' Churches were built this year by subscriptions; Lord Ward giving the ground and £100 donation to each house.

May 28th, 1852. The Churchwardens of St. Edmund's Church (Messrs. C. F. G. Clark and Thomas Danks) called a Vestry Meeting of the inhabitants, for the purpose of adopting the most efficient means for erecting a Parsonage House for St. Edmund's parish. A very handsome subscription list was commenced at this meeting, which ultimately ended in the erection of the present St. Edmund's Parsonage House, at a cost of upwards of £1,600. Mr. C. F. G. Clark exerted himself very zealously in this necessary business.

June, 1852. The state of the political horizon in London, and the distrust and uneasiness which prevailed amongst all classes, and more especially in reference to the veiled intentions of the Emperor Nicholas in Russia, to conquer and add the Turkish Empire to his already vast dominions, pointed to the necessity of an appeal to the constituents, to ascertain how the British pulse beat upon these momentous questions.

The following address of Mr. Benbow to his constituents shews that he thought "coming events cast their shadows before them:"

TO THE ELECTORS OF DUDLEY.

GENTLEMEN,

As a dissolution of Parliament is now very near it becomes my
duty to inform you of my intention to seek a renewal of the
generous confidence which you have on two former occasions
reposed in me.

My political principles are well known, and I need not repeat
them.

During the eventful period I have had the honor to enjoy a
seat in Parliament, I have never blindly attached myself to
any Minister; but have, as the Representative of an important
constituency, uniformly supported those measures which seemed
best calculated to maintain the honour of our great country,
and to promote the comforts of the people: at the same time I
have been equally solicitous for the advancement of those great
interests which are so closely identified with the prosperity
of your populous and industrious locality.

In the present position of political parties it seems to me
to be necessary that all Friends of Conservative Principles
should unite in supporting the Ministry of LORD DERBY, and I am
prepared to give them my independent aid, except on any measure
which may have for its object the re-imposition of a Duty on
Foreign Corn, to which the general feeling of the Country
appears to be opposed.

At the Termination of the Session I shall avail myself of the
earliest opportunity of personally assuring you that I am, with
feelings of gratitude and esteem,

Your faithful and obliged Servant,
JOHN BENBOW.

_Mecklenburgh Square,
21st June, 1852._

This Political (snug) Meeting followed--

At a Meeting of the Electors of Dudley friendly to the
re-election of JOHN BENBOW, ESQ., as Member for the Borough,
held at the Hotel in Dudley, on Thursday, the first day of
July, 1852.

Present:--Thomas Badger, Esq., Isaac Badger, Esq., Thomas
Fereday, Esq., The Rev. Dr. Browne, Rev. E. H. L. Noot, Rev. A.
G. Davis, Messrs. Bateman, Best, Bourne, Barrows, W. Bourne,
Bishton, Brettell, Capewell, Henry Coldicott, Cox, E. Dudley,
England, J. Haines, Homer, William Haden, John Jones, jun.,
Kendrick, Maughan, Passmore, Reynaud, R. Smith, E. F. Smith,
Self, Tilley, Vanes, Walker, and others. THOMAS BADGER, ESQ.,
in the Chair.

The Address of Mr. Benbow to the Electors of the date of the
21st June last having been read--

Resolved unanimously:--That in the opinion of this Meeting, Mr.
Benbow has a fair claim to the suffrages of the Electors, and
that as there is generally throughout the Country a difference
of opinion on the subject of Free Trade, Mr. Benbow should
be left unfettered and at liberty to exercise his unbiassed
judgment on that point.

Resolved:--That the Gentlemen attending this Meeting be a
Committee for conducting the Election of Mr. Benbow, with power
to add to their number.

Resolved:--That these resolutions be printed and published, and
a copy thereof transmitted to each Elector.

THOS. BADGER, Chairman.

Resolved:--That the best thanks of this Meeting be given to the
Chairman for his conduct in the Chair.

Then came the tug of political warfare.

FREEDOM IS EVERY MAN'S BIRTHRIGHT.

AN APPEAL TO THE CONSCIENTIOUS ELECTORS OF THE BOROUGH DUDLEY.

The political torpor in which you have been lying has been
partially aroused; a sense of the opprobrium you incur by
your ignoble apathy, has spurred you to action; the spirit of
tyranny displayed by the Church's iniquitous attempt to impose
an unjustifiable tax, has awakened your just indignation, and
contempt of their mercenary spirit, that cloaks itself under
the pretext of honourably supporting their institution for
the welfare of the poor man, whom they would rob of that, of
which the honest sweat of his brow has been productive; but
this attempt has been foiled, the concocters of the tyrannous
rate have been successfully defeated, you have with success
combatted and effectually resisted the attempt of overbearing
and rapacious Churchmen.

It is but fair to presume that now the public spirit has
once been excited, no inconsiderable barrier will stem its
course: one object has been achieved and a second will, with
an accession of strength, be attempted. Your feelings of
execration are excited against a system of representation so
corrupt, as that professing to be by the voice of the majority
of Electors, when, at the same time, it is merely by the
influence of one, who in consequence of his position, wields a
despotic rule over you,--vaunted free and independent Electors.

Let us boldly assert our independence, and scorn to be
swayed by the interested views of one, whose only title to
consideration is the fact of his being an extensive Landowner,
who seems to be lamentably deficient of that benevolence and
philanthropy, of those elevated sentiments and disinterested
views, which should characterize one in his position. Is a
man whose silence would bespeak a mind insensible to the
responsibility, under which he is lying, as the representative
of an enlightened people, is such a man calculated to express
the voice of this free, independent and extensive Borough? Is
not the name of one of the most industrious and enterprising
of the free towns of England almost buried in oblivion in the
proceedings of that highly venerated body which is the glory of
every English Patriot?

Alas! such is the painful fact!

Ye, who are foremost and most interested in these momentous
affairs, hurl defiance at the unjustifiable assumption of
power, which the landed proprietor will again endeavour to
employ to further his own views. Act like free men. Boldly
face the current, which by one united effort you will be able
effectually to resist.

FREE MEN OF DUDLEY, abhor that monopoly of influence, that
has so long characterized your past elections; by your own
strenuous exertions send as your legislator one who shall
advocate the principles of enlightened progress. If the attempt
be not made, nothing will be achieved, devote your energy to
the one grand object of obtaining a faithful representative,
and success will inevitably crown your noble magnanimity,

Yours earnestly,
A PATRIOT.

_July 12th, 1852._

It became apparent at once that Mr. Benbow would again be called upon on the hustings to give us some incoherent account of his stewardship, for the Liberal and Independent voters were determined to bring out a thorough Radical against him. The Anti-Church party being also very wrath at the result of the recent Church Rate contests.

A Mr. James Baldwin, Paper Merchant, of Birmingham, was the chosen champion honoured with the privilege of doing battle on this occasion, and the wondering and peace-loving denizens of the town were one morning startled with the rapid drive into the town of a pair of high-bred steeds, with a light waggon laden with hand-bills, announcing the candidature of Mr. James Baldwin, "Free Trade and no Church Rates." Our feeble old member could be seen "taking his walks abroad" daily in our midst, consulting with his old friends, Tom, Isaac, and Richard, on the ugly look out upon passing events, bitterly complaining of the ingratitude and desertion of some once loving friends and ardent supporters. Canvassing in those days was undertaken by gentlemen and tradesmen, not by "Loafers and hangers on," called canvassing agents; and in those days some certainty could be arrived at as to the result of the poll. Our old erratic friend, Samuel, was up early and late using his loquacious eloquence amongst the ignorant and thoughtless voters, whilst Church and Dissent strained every nerve to bring its quota of "Free and Independent Voters" to the poll.

TO THE "INDEPENDENT" ELECTORS OF THE BOROUGH OF DUDLEY.

The Member has at last spoken--the nominee of my Lord Ward has
opened his mouth--and his lordship's lump of Political Capital,
Mr. JOHN BENBOW, of Mecklenburgh Square, is prepared to shew
to all comers that a cypher in St. Stephen's may at least be
somebody in the Borough of Dudley.

And should we not be grateful to our "Right Honourable" for the
legislative present he has made and is still willing to make
us? When we consider that his Lordship, if he so willed it,
would make the "calling and election sure" of his groom in this
_Independent_ Borough, ought we not to be grateful that our
degradation is no deeper? Should we not rather rejoice that our
political Jupiter, instead of giving us a Stork, has, in the
plenitude of his condescension, kindly thrown us a "Log?"

And is it not delightful to contemplate the Honourable
Gentleman's Parliamentary career?--his exemplary discharge of
his duties--his punctual attendance in the House--the undying
eloquence of his speeches--the constancy of his name in the
Division List?--Indeed, so admirable is his conduct in these
respects, that it may be said they form the exact measure of
his political ability.

How kindly too has our "worthy member" cooked his address
"To the Electors of Dudley?" With what delicate tact has he
avoided the usual term "Independent?" This would, indeed, have
been severe, and in our present abject state the "unkindest
cut of all:" but he goes through the farce with an amiable
make-believe which is really refreshing to behold. "His
political opinions are well known to us"--God help us; so
they are. He "will not seek to re-impose a Duty on Corn." How
magnanimous!--a return to protection is impossible, therefore
Mr. BENBOW won't attempt it. How thankful we ought to be! Mr.
BENBOW will support Lord Derby's administration--but where are
the political opinions of the noble Earl?--Echo answers--where?
They have been stifled in the atmosphere of Downing Street!
Once "the Rupert of Debate"--bold, fiery, impetuous, but
without a stain on his honour--he has, since the advent of his
present official career, condescended to become the "Artful
Dodger" of politics; carried to power as a Protectionist, and
treacherous to the principle by which he obtained it--his
subsequent career has betrayed a succession of miserable
expedients. Firm, even to obstinacy, when "Stanley was the
cry," the "great" Earl of Derby is now the veriest political
weathercock of modern times--in fine, he has done more in the
short space of a single session to destroy confidence in public
men, than all the political Apostates of the present century.

With these facts before us--can it be really true that the
political influence of an important manufacturing town like
Dudley, lies prostrate at the feet of a man, who appears to
feel as much interest in the moral and social well-being of the
district from which he derives his immense wealth, as he does
for the natives of Timbuctoo. Is the decay of public spirit so
manifest that not a blow can be struck for the emancipation of
the Borough? Are there not a few good men to be found in this
political Nazareth who, for the honour of human nature, and the
sake of human progress, will come forward and manfully assert
the principle of political independence? With such men I should
be proud to combine; and though we might be only leading the
forlorn hope of a better state of things--we should at least
discharge our duty amid circumstances disgraceful in an age of
feudalism, but a perpetual reproach to the institutions of the
nineteenth century.

AN ELECTOR.

_Market Place, Dudley, June 30, 1852._

Mr. Baldwin's subjoined address was considered somewhat "peppery hot and strong," but "not sweet," for it lacked some of those nice turned sentences about "Civil and Religious Liberty," and "Church and State," which catch the eye and please the fancy.

TO THE ELECTORS OF THE BOROUGH OF DUDLEY.

GENTLEMEN,

Having been solicited to offer myself as a Candidate to
represent you in the next Parliament, I have deemed it my duty
to comply with the request. In offering myself to your notice,
I think it right to state my views, with which I believe many
of you will be acquainted, as they are views which I have
entertained and avowed for many years. I am an advocate of FREE
TRADE to the utmost extent.

I am an advocate for the Shortening of the Duration of
Parliaments, Complete Suffrage, _Protected by the Ballot_,
and an appropriation of Members in proportion to Population.
I am for the ABOLITION OF CHURCH RATES! and entire Religious
Freedom. I am an advocate for the greatest economy in our
national expenditure, and strongly opposed to our interfering
in the affairs of other Nations; and believing the Military
Bill passed by the present Government an ill-advised and
unnecessary measure, if elected I will vote for its repeal!

I am an advocate of EDUCATION, and I think the best means to
obtain it would be to remove from the Press all taxes which
would reduce the price of Newspapers and Literature generally,
so as to bring it within the reach of the whole of the People.

GENTLEMEN, the above are in substance my political principles,
which I shall be happy more fully to explain when I appear
before you as a Candidate for your suffrages, and shall be glad
to give, on that occasion, whatever further information you may
require.

I remain, Gentlemen,
Your obedient Servant,
JAMES BALDWIN.

_Committee Room, July 6th, 1852._

The nomination day arrived in due course, and each side marshalled its force of electors and non-electors to hear the speeches, see the farce, and join in the banter and fun of the day. This election, however, was different in respectability from the last miserable show of Chartistism; because both candidates were gentlemen, and in their individual position men of high moral character and standing, which cannot always be reported about Dudley candidates for Parliamentary honours.

The election came off July 8th, 1852, with a few black eyes and damaged hats, and the result was,--

Mr. Benbow, Conservative 400
Mr. Baldwin, Liberal 231
----
Majority for Mr. Benbow 169

Thus it was that Mr. Baldwin trotted back to Birmingham (rather crest-fallen) with his paper waggon and fiery steeds, whilst Mr. Benbow, the member (_not of the electors of Dudley_), returned to his books and his papers in Mecklenburgh Square, London.

Died July 22nd, 1852, Mr. John Holland, Builder and Contractor, Dudley. This melancholy death took place suddenly in a fit at a gipsy party. Aged 58 years.

Died August 18th, 1852, Sergeant Paine, an old Peninsular soldier, having hung himself in a fit of insanity. Aged 64 years.

September 15th, 1852. Died at Walmer Castle, that most illustrious commander and hero, the great Duke of Wellington, of an epileptic fit, in the 84th year of his age, universally regretted by the whole world. The nation gave the Duke a public funeral on November 18th, 1852. His remains were laid in St. Paul's Cathedral.

TO THE INHABITANTS OF DUDLEY.

Thursday next, the 18th instant, being the day appointed to
inter the remains of the late illustrious DUKE OF WELLINGTON, I
respectfully request that the tradesmen of Dudley participating
in the general national feeling, will testify their respect for
the memory of that distinguished individual by the CLOSURE OF
THEIR SHOPS.

E. L. CRESSWELL, _Mayor_.

_Dudley, November 15th, 1852._

This Great National Burial was observed in Dudley with due solemnity, all the shops being closed.

Died November 11th, 1852, Mr. Thomas Marsh, Fender and Fire Stove Manufacturer at the Burnt Tree Works, greatly esteemed and respected by both his numerous workmen and a large circle of friends. Aged 75 years.

December 20th, 1852. The Oxford, Worcester, and Wolverhampton Railway was opened this day, from Wolverhampton _via_ Dudley to Evesham (41½ miles in length), on the Broad Gauge. A public dinner took place at the hotel to celebrate the occasion.

1853. The former Church Rate heat and fever had subsided into sober reason at this time; hence this humbled and subdued appeal to the parish.

TO THE RATE-PAYERS AND INHABITANTS OF DUDLEY.